Track-support for litter-carriers.



W. D. JAMES. TRACK SUPPORT FOR LITTER CARRIERS.

APPucAnou rllznlun: 12. 1916.

Patented Dec. 18, 1917.

kif

'UNI

n sTAns 'Afrar ,FRE Y! WILLIAM n. JAMFS, OFy FORT ATKINSON, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR 4To JAMES MANUFAC` TURING COMPANY, OF FORT ATKINSON, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN. I

To all 'whom t may concern: I

Be it known that I, VILLIAM D. JAMES, a citizen of the United States, residing vat the city of Fort Atkinson7 county of J efferson, and State of lfVisconsin, have linvented new and useful Improvements` in Track- Supports for Litter-Carriers, of which the following is a specification, I

My invention relates to improvements in track supports for litter carriers, and it` pertains more especially, among other thingsto that class in which the track is supported from a plurality of pairs of standards which pairs are connected together at Atheir upper ends by one or more transverse arches from which the track -is suspended.

Experience has demonstrated that owing to the fact that `in assembling. the device some of thel standards are often setvdeeper thanothers, and where the arches have been previously constructed, the track isthereby thrown out of alinement.V The standards are set in concrete inl nearlyA all ,modern structures, and as this is done before the arches are applied, .itl is impossible to subsequently raise or lower them.

To facilitate setting the arches in proper position irrespective of whetherthe standards are of the sameheight, I have provided means whereby the arches may be raised at one end or abutment and supported above the upper end of the standard sufficiently to support the track in its proper position notwithstanding the fact that the standard is set too low. This is of great importance for the reason that the work ofconstructing the standards and arches is usually done at a distant shop or factory, While the standards are set and arches placed by inexperienced workmen upon the farms where the trucks are used.

My invention is further explained by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l represents a pair of track supporting standards connected at their upper ends by clamping sleeves to a transverse arch from which the track is adapted to be suspended.

Fig. 2 is a side view of my device drawn at right angles to that shown in Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a detail showing the manner of adjustably connecting the upper end of one .Speccaton of Letters Patent. y Patented Da, 18 1917,- Appiication med June 12, 191e. serial No. 103,672.

of thestandards with one end of one of said transverse arches, and

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of oneof the spacing blocks which is adaptedto be inserted between the upper end of said standard and the contiguous end of oneof the transverse members.

` Likeparts are identified by the same reference numerals throughout the several views. y l f .5 Thev standards `l, support` arches 2 from whicha track 3 of ordinary construction may be suspended. The lower ends of the standards are embedded in-concrete pierst. Thev upper ends are connected Ywith the arches YVby clamping sleeves 5, divided longif tudinally and provided with ears 6 through which clamping bolts 7 may pass.l The sleeves 5 are adapted to closely fit the standard l and the bases of the arches, and they are so constructed that the frictional clamp-y ing pressure will/beusuiiicient under ordinary circumstances to support the arch out of contact with the upper end of the standard. .But for additionalsecurity, 1p1-eferably' employ spacing blocks 8 which may be made of any desired thickness, or of differing thicknesses and are adapted to be interposed within the clamping sleeve between the abutment or base of the arch and the top of the standard. The clamping sleeves are of sufficient length to securely grip a substantial portion of the standard and also of the arch even though these members may be spaced apart a distance of several inches. The clamping bolts are also so arranged as to secure full clamping pressure upon both the standard and the arch. The spacing members, where used, may be made of less diameter than the standards, no clamping pressure upon them being desired. v In practice it is intended to use a number of blocks 8 of different thicknesses, whereby the lower ends of said transverse arch may be adjusted at the desired height throughout its length, without using a large number of spacing blocks at one point. The thick blocks will be used where the arch is to be raised considerably and the thin ones where only a slight elevation is desired.

The track 3 is preferably supported from the transverse arch 2 by a parallel rail 10 and hangers 11, and said hangers 1l are connected at their lower ends'to said track 3 and at their .upper ends to said rail in .any convenient manner.v The rail l0 is secured to the arch by metal straps l2. The parts are cf ordinary .construction and require no further description.

It Will be understood that When the track 3 is thus supported in a correct position by the standards l and transverse arches 2, the structure Will form a convenient and substantial support for vines 'or other vegetation. The device taken as a Whole, including fthe track, may therefore be 'not 'only use# ul, but ornamental in appearance, Whereas it is extremely Iunsightly when the arches are tilted andthe Atrack crooked. In the 'latter case also the 'utility v0i" the track Vis greatly impaired for litter carriers are Apropelled along these tracks by momentum yimparted Within the stable and acarrier will not move readily along a crooked track. lVith vmy improved construction, metal standards 'and arches of simple design Vand great strength may be constructed 'at a distant Shop and symmetrically assembled by inexperienced persons at the place or' use, With the standards permanently embedded and rigidly supported rrin concrete -bases or anchors. 'It has 'never heretofore been :found possible lso far as l am aware for farmers vto set such posts in concrete and properly attach the arches thereto 4in such form las to provide a straight track, except Iin 'rare instances7 Where unusual care islexercised in setting the posts.

`Having thus described my invention, what I claim vas new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a litter carrier track support, the combination of a pair of standards, an arch having its legs in alinement With the standards, an adjustable securing means for the contiguous ends of the standards and arch legs comprising sectional clamping sleeves each surrounding contiguous ends of the arch and one standard and provided With outwardly projecting opposing clamping flanges on each side, and bolts connecting the flanges Vof 1the annul-us and 'adapted to bind the ysleeve sections upon the Ebases of the arch and lthe standards, the 'respective sleeves being'adap'ted'to coperate with each other in preventing rotation "of the arch members in their respective sleeves. Y

2. ln a litter carrier track support, the combination loa pair of standards, an ia-rch connected at its respective fend-s With said standards, a track lconnected With-said a'f'rc'h, adj ustingspac'ing blocks Yinterposed betW-eel-i the contiguous ends of fsaid standards land arch, yclamping members adapted to embrace the opposing `ends off said standards and arch, said clamping Hmembers being adapted to retain said adjusting blocks Yin place.-

ln testimony avh'ereof 1I aHiX -mysignature in the presence "of tivo Witnesses.

' VVILLIA'M iD. lA-MES. Witnesses:

BORT. F. PARKS, JOHN G. SfHoDRoN.

'Gentes ci ms patent mag/fte attained Zor-'iivecent each, 'by addressing fthe Commissioner 'of vPa-tenta Washington, D. G. 

